Previous export legislation consultation

Initial review

We reviewed Australia’s agricultural export legislation between July and September 2015.

We aimed to assess how we could improve the legislation to keep it relevant into the future. The review also satisfied our requirement to review delegated export legislation before 2020 (under the
Legislative Instruments Act 2003).

We consulted with a wide range of stakeholders, including trading partners, industry representatives, exporters and producers. The
consultation report summarises what we heard.

We found that the existing legislative framework has served our exporters well, but there is room for improvement. We recommended some improvements to government. The improvements will better support farmers and exporters to:

meet future importing country requirements

seize trade opportunities in a changing global environment.

Based on the review, the government decided to improve agricultural export legislation.

Improved legislative framework

Australia’s agricultural export legislation underpins our reputation as a supplier of safe and reliable food and other products. It also assures our trading partners that Australian exports meet their requirements.

Agricultural exports are currently regulated by over 20 Acts and 40 pieces of delegated legislation. We are consolidating and streamlining existing export-related requirements. The new legislative framework will include:

the Export Control Bill 2019

the Export Control Rules 2020.

The improved legislative framework will replace:

the existing Export Control Act 1982

export-related provisions in the Australian Meat and Live-stock Industry Act 1997

legislative instruments, such as Orders and Regulations.

The improvements will make the legislation more relevant, responsive and efficient for exporters, farmers and other primary producers.

It will still provide strong regulation while removing duplication and ensuring consistency across commodities where possible.

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Export Control Bill 2019

The Export Control Bill 2019 is the key piece of primary legislation in the new framework. It will ensure:

exported goods meet the requirements of importing countries

government and relevant industry standards are complied with

goods are traceable throughout the export supply chain—from production and processing to exporting—where required

the integrity of goods, and the accuracy of applied trade descriptions and official marks, are maintained.

The
Export Control Bill 2017 was introduced into Parliament on 7 December 2017. It lapsed following the call for the 2019 General Election.

The draft Export Control Bill 2019 is now open for public consultation and we are working with government to determine when the Bill will be re-introduced.

Export Control Rules 2020

The Export Control Rules 2020 are based on the current Export Control Orders.

The rules will outline the requirements agricultural exporters must meet to export specific commodities. This includes requirements on:

where and how products are prepared

when permits and certificates are necessary to export from Australia.

The rules will be legislative instruments under the improved Export Control Act. They will be made by the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture and will be subject to parliamentary checks and balances, in line with the current Orders.

Privacy Notice:

Personal information means information or an opinion about an identified individual, or an individual who is reasonably identifiable.

The Department of Agriculture collects your personal information (as defined by the Privacy Act 1988) in relation to this form for the purposes of supplying you with updates and consultation opportunities on improvements to agricultural export legislation and related purposes. If you fail to provide some or all of the personal information requested in this form, the department may be unable to provide you with updates or consultation opportunities related to improvements to agricultural export legislation.

The department may disclose your personal information to other Australian government agencies, persons or organisations where necessary for the above purposes, provided the disclosure is consistent with relevant laws, in particular the Privacy Act. Your personal information will be used and stored in accordance with the Australian Privacy Principles.

See the department's Privacy Policy to learn more about accessing or correcting personal information or making a complaint. Alternatively, telephone the department on +61 2 6272 3933.

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.